to Scuba in Grand Caymen or Cozumel?

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RomaN

Guest
My wife and I, and another couple are taking the Carnical Conquest to the Caribbean the week of Sept 21. We are planning on taking advantage of the crystal waters of either Grand Caymen or Cozumel with a beginner scuba excrusion, but I don't know which location would be better. I've heard that Grand Caymen is one of the best locations in the world by one friend, and then others tell me that you can't beat Cozumel.

So my question is, has anyone on this board taken the excursions in both locations, and if so, which one was better?

Also, the other couple we are going with would like to take the horse back adventure in Jamaica, any comments there as well?

Thanks in advance for all input.
 
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bluefish

Guest
Easy answer, dive BOTH Coz and Grand Cayman. Both are the best at certain types of dives. GCM is known for it's wall dives and for Stingray City, which is better as a dive than a snorkel. Cos is known for it's drift diving, but since you will be doing a discover scuba, the sites you might visit will be chosen for their lack of current.

On GCM several operators besides the ship offer this. Independant operators offer a slighly less expensive, more personal experience.
<a href=http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/AbanksDiveCenter.htm>Abanks dive center </a>
<a href=http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/OfftheWallDiversPriceList.htm>off the wall divers </a>

Both these operators offer discover scuba. This is not an endorsement for either operator, just links to 2 of several operators that do offer it.

In Coz < a href=http://www.cozguide.net/chankan.html>Chankanaab Park</a> is a great place and easy to get to by taxi. The entrance fee is $10 but worth it. You can do discover scuba there from the shore, making is less expensive than a boat dive. Afterwords, you can snorkle, explore the "ruins", relax in the sun/shade with a drink.

Can't say anything about Jamaica other than I have no interest in going there
 
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RomaN

Guest
Thank you very much bluefish.

You've peaked my interest in the Chankanaab Park. I was talking to a friend last night and he knew of this park. He was telling me about some underwater caves by the beaches, and of some very large fish. If this is true, then I may just go there and try to fit in the scuba with some snorkling.

This is my wife and my first cruise so we really can't scuba in both places, due to all the other things we could do. The other couple we are going are only planning on doing it in one location as well. Which is why I raised the question of which location is better. On a scale of 1-10, where would you rate Chankanaab?

The reason I ask is because I may just go there and scuba, snorkel, lounge around and drink all in one location. If the caves are there too, then all the better. But I don't want to attempt to convince the group and find out the place isn't as nice as other places.

Thanks again.
 
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BurBunny

Guest
Chankanaab may be the most convenient location, but I definitely would not say it represents the best available for discover scuba between the two islands. There are a lot of fish there, but because of the high volume of people, the rest of the sea life isn't as rich. It's better than most other places you could go, but not the best these two islands have to offer.

I don't want to discourage you from Chankanaab - after all, if part of the priority is the rest of what you want to do, then its ranking goes up tremendously! It's still good diving and generally fairly easy.

In addition to the companies listed above, for Cozumel I'd add Eagle Ray Divers, who specializes in personalized diving for cruise ship passengers.
 
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Chiquita

Guest
If you want to do something unique, the ultimate is the combo beginners scuba diving course with wreck site dive followed by a stingray city dive. My nieces have been planning on doing this one on our next cruise, they are 12 and 14 and very excited.

I'm a diver and have done the stingray city dive a few times and it is incredible. You go to a different location then the sandbar and you are in 10ft of water with stingrays all around you, they are beautiful and so friendly.

Diving Resort Course & stingray City dive excursion

I believe its a 6 hour excursion so make sure your ship is in port long enough if you decide to do it and don't forget a disposable water proof camera, the stingray city dive is a total photo op:)
 
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RomaN

Guest
Chiquita,

Two questions for you regarding your reccomendation.

How flexible are they for the customer? I would like to see a reef if possible. Reading the reviews on their website you'd swear it was the most awesome trip you could take. I REALLY like the 6 hour they give for this. I feel that with 6 hours I can relax and really enjoy where we are, and possible squeeze in some snorkling.

Also, one of the people I'm going with is VERY concerned with the fact that this is not offered by the ship, and is therefore not guranteed by Carnival. Do they have any "Return to the ship on time" gurantees?

Thank you very much.
 
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